Original subtitles

You've come back.

I'm so happy, but I always knew you

would.

Now we can start all over again.

Maria, you're so very beautiful.

Oh, I've desired this moment for such a

long time.

I know finally you're back.

Oh, I love you.

You must be careful.

No one must see you here.

It's too dangerous.

I'll send my maid to tell you when

you can come again without running any risks.

You know I've never stopped thinking of you.

Never stopped thinking of you.

Take care of the horses and get some

rest.

And you, where were you when my wife

was playing her disgusting games?

Do you mind telling me?

Did you take part in her orgies?

Oh, please, sir.

I didn't do anything.

I don't know anything about what happened yesterday

here.

Madam ordered me to lock myself in my

room, and that's what I did.

So you locked yourself in your room?

With whom?

I was all alone, sir.

I swear it to you on my honor.

Honor?

No one in this house is aware of

the meaning of the word honor.

I heard that.

So you stayed locked in your room?

What if I did or I didn't?

I don't have to give account to anybody

for what I do.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe you stayed locked in your

room.

As a matter of fact, it's not true,

darling.

I was rolling around on the grass with

a beautiful young man.

How do you like that?

I'm the only one you ought to be

rolling in the grass with.

Understand?

The trouble is, you never have time.

And besides, none of it is true.

I wish it had happened.

All I did was watch them.

I don't believe you.

I swear it.

That's the whole truth.

It was madam who didn't want me there.

Oh, so that's what it is.

Just because she didn't want you to take

part.

Why, you're up.

You're up.

Say it.

You know what I mean.

You talk and talk, but when it gets

right down to it...

Oh, really?

Well, I'll show you right now.

Let's get right down to it.

Oh, come on.

Oh, what are you doing?

Oh, come on.

Come on.

You'll like it.

Oh, no.

Come on.

Why not?

Why not?

Oh, come on.

You love it.

You love it.

Oh, my God.

Come on.

Why not right now?

Carolina.

Yes, ma'am.

Get out of here.

Good day, ma'am.

What can I do for you?

Prepare me a bath.

Maybe that's what I need to calm my

nerves.

Master has returned just a little while ago.

So I gathered.

Where is he?

He's gone out.

He seemed to be a little bit upset.

Oh, he'll calm down.

Go on now.

Don't keep me waiting.

Yes, ma'am.

Excuse me, sir.

I've fallen off my horse, and I think

I hurt my leg.

Let's have a look.

Doesn't seem to be anything broken.

What happened to your horse?

I think he ran away.

I'm not a very good horsewoman.

Happens to the best.

Where did you come from?

From town.

I'm staying at the local inn with my

husband.

Your husband shouldn't allow you to go out

all by yourself, especially on horseback, seeing as

you're not very expert.

As far as that's concerned, he doesn't worry

much about me.

He certainly never has up till now.

He's the type of man who really only

thinks of himself.

I hope you're not too shocked that I

talk that way about my husband.

But you see, I have no illusions left

about marriage.

You have your reasons, I'm sure.

Mrs...

Carly.

Mrs. Claudia Carly, to be exact.

I am Oswaldo Reininger.

This is my estate.

Oh, the famous Reininger estate.

I wasn't aware I had strayed this far

from the village.

I hope you'll forgive me for trespassing.

I'm on it.

Permit me to accompany you back home.

Don't worry about the horse.

I'm sure it'll find its own way back.

You're really most kind.

I must admit, I had almost forgotten what

a true gentleman was like.

Thank you.

The species facing extinction.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I wish I were as beautiful as you

are, madam.

You don't look so bad yourself.

Silly.

Come on, help me.

Oh, you've soaked your sleeve.

Take it off.

Well, what is it?

You're not shy, are you?

No.

Oh.

Oh, where's the soap?

Go on.

Look for it.

Oh.

I see

you're once again in possession of all your

functions.

I was helping madam...

I saw perfectly well what you were helping.

I have to speak with you.

Go ahead.

Alone.

Excuse me.

Perhaps you want to take over for Carolina?

No, thank you.

From what I've seen, you've already managed to

replace me quite well last night.

Oh, I just needed a little diversion.

What do you expect me to do?

You've confined me inside your jail from the

day we were married.

I was never in love with you.

And you know it perfectly well.

Hand me the towel, please.

Thank you.

What did you expect by bringing me here?

That I would fall in love with you?

I brought you here for your own good.

That man was using you.

Everybody knew it.

He was only after your money.

I was in love with Alessio.

And I'm still in love with him.

If my father hadn't interfered, I would have

married him.

Don't think the story is finished.

Someday I'm sure he'll return.

You would agree to see him?

Of course.

Do you think I would refuse to see

the man I'm in love with?

And who abandoned you?

Not of his own free will.

Remember that.

Well, now, is that all that you wanted

to tell me, my dear?

No.

I want you to stop behaving like...

like a...

Like a loose woman?

Come on, wake up, darling.

We women are all like that, some more,

some less.

In fact, when you get right down to

it, isn't that what you men want from

us?

You're not amusing.

I'm not even permitted to do that.

To joke with my adorable husband.

Maria, listen to me.

I understand that your feeling of isolation here

has been a severe strain on you, especially

after that unhappy love affair.

But believe me, there are pleasant ways of

passing the time here.

Really?

Just name me one.

Let's give a reception.

You can invite all the people you'd like

to see.

Do you really mean it?

You'd be willing to come out of your

shell just to please me?

I'm surprised, Osvaldo.

I've always considered you a lone grizzly bear

with no hope of rescue.

And now, instead...

Does it really surprise you?

Yes, but I'm delighted.

You take care of the invitations, darling.

All right, I will.

Those anarchists are the sworn enemies of peace

and order.

Let me tell you.

Up to now, we've been much too tolerant

with them.

And look at the results.

Bombs that explode, killing dozens and dozens of

innocent people.

It's the curse of our times, my friend.

The inheritance of your system of land holdings.

And it creates discontent, disrupts relationships, and causes

hunger.

And what should we do, according to you

enlightened banking experts?

You should forget your antiquated landholder mentality and

become industrialists.

And if you're not capable of doing that,

then turn over your land holdings to those

who can adapt to the time.

Never, never.

The Reininger estates are not for sale.

At any price.

You'll change your mind.

Don't count on it too much, my friend.

Gentlemen, we're here to enjoy ourselves, not to

talk politics.

I'm looking for Marco.

He has to get us some more champagne

from down in the cellar.

I sent him to the village with the

carriage to fetch one of our guests.

Oh, anyone I know?

Someone that you haven't met yet, my dear.

Ah, that can be remedied right now.

Excuse me.

Good evening, and welcome to my home.

Here we are, darling.

Allow me to present Mrs. Carley, my wife,

Mr. Tessa.

I'm charmed.

I didn't know my husband had friends in

the village that he kept hidden from me.

Oh, no.

We just met a few days ago, and

I had fallen from my horse, and Mr.

Reininger was so kind as to accompany me

back home.

I hope you don't mind, Mrs. Reininger.

Oh, not at all.

Besides, my husband is an adult, and he

knows how one should and shouldn't behave, don't

you, darling?

Excuse us, my dear.

I should like to go and present our

friend to our other guests.

Oh, please.

Go right ahead.

Just make believe I'm not here.

Oh, finally you show up.

You go into town and carry on with

those city flirts, and I have to stay

here and do all the work for both

of us.

And what do I get for it?

Nothing.

Nothing and nothing.

Hey, listen.

Pretty soon those people will have no more

need of us.

They'll start to play around and to gossip.

Why don't we have our own little party?

What do you say?

You know what I think?

I think we'll have our own little party

right here and now.

Here.

Right now?

Now.

Well, what about...

Wait a minute.

What about my chores?

I've got work to do.

Oh, don't be such a bore.

Come on.

No, come on.

We can do it right here.

Yes, we can.

Of course we can.

Oh, man.

Oh, my

God.

Madam, I've got to go.

You know how she is when she wants

something.

Oh, what about me, Marco?

Hey, what about me?

Don't you find this party just a little

too boring?

I shouldn't want the others to overhear us.

But do you have any suggestions?

Oh, I don't know.

But something a little more exciting than parlor

chit-chat.

Do you play baccarat?

Certainly I play.

Ah, well, then it's settled.

We'll transform this mortuary into a wicked gambling

den.

Will you join us, Osvaldo?

No, no, no.

Thank you.

You know I hate cards and the cards

despise me.

The feeling's mutual.

As you wish, darling.

Gentlemen, whoever is ready to risk his fortune

at our notorious table of baccarat, follow me.

This way, please.

I warn you, I intend to play by

high stakes.

No weak hearts.

I don't think this is for us.

Well, I'd love to see the grounds.

I always say that life should be lived

dangerously.

Don't you agree, Tessa?

Absolutely, beautiful.

Beautiful lady, I'll follow you to the bitter

end.

Very well.

Let's get started.

All right.

Who wishes the bank?

Not I.

I'll gladly concede that honor to another.

As you wish.

My dear count?

Thank you.

Shall we begin with a minimum of 100

francs?

Is that agreed?

All right with me.

Agreed.

Let's begin.

Your wife is very beautiful.

Let's not talk about her, please.

When I sent you my carriage, I was

afraid you might not accept the invitation.

And why shouldn't I?

I feel so lonely, so useless.

I know what you mean.

I have the same sensation at times.

I can't talk about it to the others,

but I have a feeling that you understand

me perfectly.

I always say to myself, you get up

in the morning, you get excited, you move

about, but what's the point of it all?

Judging from what you say, you seem to

be as dissatisfied with life as I am.

I don't understand why.

You are rich, you have a splendid wife.

Don't let appearances fool you.

They're often misleading, you know.

I understand.

Life can be terribly unjust.

Even though we hardly know each other, I

feel we have many things in common.

My sentiments exactly.

Forgive me, Claudia.

May I call you Claudia?

I should like that.

I want to make a confession.

Go ahead, tell me.

The real reason I gave this reception was

to see you again.

You shouldn't tell me that.

But confession for confession, I too hope desperately

to see you again.

Claudia.

Nine.

You're really very lucky.

Tonight I feel invincible.

Does that mean you would accept any kind

of wager?

My dear Tessa, you make me blush.

I didn't know you bankers were such Don

Giovannis.

Oh, I wouldn't dare.

Your wife will be wondering where we've disappeared

to.

She never notices anything when she's gambling.

Actually, I was thinking about your lands, to

be honest.

Would you be willing to stake them in

the game?

Very well.

Let's get started.

That's enough.

I won't let anyone make jokes about my

lands.

I apologize.

I had no intention to offend you.

But your intentions are clear.

You've been looking for a pretext all evening

to offend and humiliate me before everybody.

First with your questionable female acquaintances, and now

with your arrogant clowning.

I warn you, I have no intention of

tolerating your attitude.

This is most embarrassing, if you might say

that, my friend.

But it's hardly the first time.

Would you please have me driven back to

town?

You're not offended by what that bad woman

said?

I beg you, Oswaldo, don't insist.

As you wish.

It's rather late for me, too.

There's no need to bother your coachman.

I should be glad to accompany the lady

to town.

Thank you for your hospitality, Reiniger.

Madame?

They're all leaving, finally.

Well?

This is the first chance I've had to

eat all day.

Master gives me a hand.

We'll be leaving here shortly.

Do you want me to quit my job

with the Reiningers?

You're coming with me.

Of course.

We'll both move into town.

I can just see you staying with me,

with all those girls in the latest fashions.

You'll be in the latest fashion, as well.

With proper clothes.

In fact, you'll be the most beautiful among

them.

You're making fun of me.

No, I really mean that.

I'm not going to be a servant all

my life.

Certainly not.

You can take my word for it.

I'm going to start a business, open up

a shop.

All I need now is a little money,

just to get started.

And where do you expect to find it?

I don't know.

But I'll find it.

We'll find it.

You'll see.

We'll find it.

Oh my God, it's Madame.

What the hell does she want at this

hour?

How should I know?

Listen, I'm going upstairs.

You wait for me here, huh?

Exactly the way you are.

Just like you are.

Yeah, right.

Fat chance, babe.

Maria.

Maria.

What do you want?

I want to talk with you.

Carolina, leave us alone.

She's staying with me tonight.

I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving

for the city to take care of some

business.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

Good night.

Did you really mean that, Madame?

You wish that I...

I do wish.

Go on and take off your clothes.

Take off my clothes.

You see, Madame.

I'm very sensitive.

I get excited very easily and then...

I just don't know when to stop.

Oh no, Madame.

I don't really know...

I'm very sensitive and...

Oh, come on.

You do understand.

Oh.

Oh.

Here, take this.

Excuse me, sir.

Well, I would like to ask you some

advice.

What about?

Well, the fact is I'm thinking about going

into business.

What kind of business?

Dressmaker, ladieswear.

I've got my eye on a little store.

Doesn't seem like a particularly brilliant idea.

I'm convinced I can make a go of

it, sir.

I'll think about it.

In the meantime, climb on.

Let's get going.

Bye-bye.

Am I disturbing you, Madame?

No.

What is it?

These flowers are from a Mr. Alessio.

Did he deliver them in person?

Yes, ma'am.

Did he talk to you?

Yes, ma'am.

And what did he say?

Nothing, really.

We just talked about the weather and things.

You be careful with him now.

He's a very dangerous man.

Yes, ma'am.

And if he makes any advances to you,

you be sure and tell me about it

immediately.

Go and clean up the veranda now.

Tomorrow I want to give a big feast.

I want to see interesting people.

I need some fresh air.

Yes, ma'am.

Alessio.

I need you.

I desperately need you.

I sent her the flowers.

You'll see.

She'll snap at the bait.

Don't count on it too much.

You forget that I know her well.

If it hadn't been for her father, I

would have married her.

How would you like to go to Paris?

Till now, you've only taken me to these

squalid provincial towns and nowhere else.

This time it's different.

We have them both in the palms of

our hands.

I have my ex-paramour and you've got

her daughtering hunt.

He's not daughtering.

He's refined.

A true gentleman.

What a surprise to see my depraved Claudia

ensnared by sentiments of such purity.

A real surprise.

Oh, go to hell.

There.

That's better.

That's more like you, darling.

I'm the only man for you.

Immoral, detestable and violent.

No.

I don't want to.

Leave me alone.

I've done what you asked me to do.

And you did quite well.

I just wanted a confirmation and now I

have it.

What do you mean by that?

You listen to me.

I don't want to lose this opportunity for

anything in the world.

So you play along, you'll be sorry.

Is that clear?

I said, is that clear?

I want an answer.

It's clear.

Perfectly clear.

There's a good girl.

I'll be seeing you.

Are you enjoying yourself?

Oh, yes.

The ladies distinguished themselves by their absence this

evening.

Don't you think?

Perhaps they haven't forgiven me because I prefer

Baccarat to their company.

Those ladies are like elephants.

They never forget anything.

But I suspect there's another reason.

And what's that?

They probably prefer to avoid an unfavorable comparison.

You are too beautiful and fascinating for them.

Well, Colonel, are you still winning?

As usual, my friend.

Unlucky in love, etc.

I've heard it said you do quite well

with the ladies.

My dear Tessa, are you proposing me?

Remember, I'm a married woman.

I'm aware of it.

And besides, I couldn't offer you very much.

Only lots and lots of money.

And of that, you already have quite enough.

Lots and lots of money is never too

much.

Please excuse me a moment.

Why, certainly.

What are you doing here?

I told you it was dangerous.

Don't shout.

Do you want everyone to hear you?

Listen, Alessio.

You know very well that someone might recognize

you.

So I'm asking you to please go.

Darling, I'm ready to face all risks just

to be with you.

Joking.

Don't you realize he could separate us?

No one will ever separate us again.

I've come to take you away.

Darling.

What's keeping you from presenting me to this

beautiful young man?

Do you really think it's fair to monopolize

him all evening?

I'm sorry, Carlotta, but the gentleman was telling

me he has to leave with an urgent

appointment.

I did have.

But pleasure before business, I always say.

Marvelous.

In that case, I shall steal him from

you for just five minutes.

Come along, darling.

Well, now, you tell me all about yourself.

Don't believe so.

Haven't we met somewhere before?

You seem upset.

Is anything wrong?

No.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I'm just in need of some excitement.

Something stimulating.

Understand?

I'm ready for anything.

You're so beautiful and sweet.

She's just the opposite of our wives.

They're ugly, disagreeable, and stupid.

Gentlemen, please control yourselves.

Your wives are upstairs, and they might hear

you.

Those witches, they're unbearable and ugly.

We want you, my dear.

That's not possible.

There are two of you.

Oh, you know, I think she has a

point there.

Exactly.

So you have to leave.

No, it's you that has to leave, because

I'm older than you.

Oh, rubbish.

Age has nothing to do with it.

I'll tell you what we'll do.

Let's auction her off.

Whoever offers her more can have her.

Are you on?

Don't go away, my dear.

Of course I'm on.

And I offer 500 francs.

Thousand.

Gentlemen, please.

Why don't you go upstairs?

I've got work to do.

Dance, my dear.

Come here.

Two thousand.

Three thousand.

Do you mean that?

Come in.

Claudia.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Forgive my barging in like this.

I'm sorry.

But I just had to see you again.

Please.

Come in.

I hope my presence here won't cause you

difficulties.

No problem.

My husband won't be back before morning.

I've come to town earlier than expected, and

I thought I'd stop by and say hello.

I don't think your wife will approve.

She detests me.

She detests anyone who's superior to her.

Don't overestimate me.

And I think that's inevitable when one desires

someone more than anything in the world.

What are you saying?

I'm trying to tell you that I've realized

that I'm in love with you.

No.

I really didn't want this to happen.

I...

I'm just not...

Yes, yes, you're perfectly right.

I'm behaving like a schoolboy.

Forgive me, please.

Wait.

Please don't go.

I've ruined everything with my usual lack of

tact.

I'm nothing, nothing but a rich peasant.

Oswaldo.

Huh?

I don't want you to go back to

your wife.

Claudia.

Claudia.

Ah, you win.

Congratulations.

What game are you playing?

Baccarat.

Do you know it?

No.

Will you teach me?

I don't think it's the proper occasion.

It's...

It's a gambling game.

I've always adored risks.

How does it go?

It's quite easy to learn.

Two cards to the challenger, two cards to

the bank.

You have the choice of another card.

The maximum is nine.

And...

the highest number on the table wins.

Well, doesn't seem difficult.

May I play?

I'm sure it's possible.

Mrs. Grandy will be relieved to offer you

her place.

Am I right?

Yes, of course.

We're playing for high stakes and in cash.

That's no problem.

Is this enough?

Of course it's enough.

Shall we continue?

Marie will do anything to be surrounded by

men.

I'd like another card, please.

Who knows?

I may be wrong, but none for me.

I have eight.

Incredible.

You are the luckiest woman I know.

I probably made a mistake.

I should have taken another card.

You have nine.

You win.

Really?

I didn't even know it.

This game is a lot of fun.

Let's play some more.

Certainly.

Look at the merchandise.

I offer 5,500 and I dare you

to offer more.

You always were a tight one.

Instead, listen.

I'm willing to pay 6,000 francs for

this beautiful bundle of women.

Where is Giovanni?

He was on the veranda with your husband.

You mean he's not there anymore?

I think I know where they are.

Come on.

This game is fantastic.

I haven't had this much fun in years.

If it were up to me, I'd play

all night.

I can believe that.

The cards are like the ladies, my friend.

Inconstant and fickle.

Take care.

They might turn against you.

I'll take my chances.

One card.

There you are.

You're so envious.

You'd do anything to get my goat.

What are you waiting for?

Do I hear 6,500?

Come on.

Take a look at the merchandise.

It's worth it, isn't it?

Take a good look.

6,500.

Don't be scared.

Winner takes all.

That's what you do after the minute I'm

back.

You carry on.

Get out of here.

You're spending my money like that.

Get out of here.

I'll take care of it.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

They got up to 6,000.

We could have moved to town, opened up

a shop.

What rotten luck.

At times I could kill her.

I could strangle her with my bare hands.

But then...

I come to my senses.

You're beautiful.

I think...

you're still in love with her in spite

of everything.

I loved her once.

But then she...

suffocated every impulse.

Cancelled every shred of feeling.

I'd become convinced that I should never be

able to love another woman.

That my heart had petrified forever.

Then you came into my life.

And everything changed in a moment.

It's a miracle.

Please.

Please.

Don't go on.

I don't want to listen.

After that first meeting, we...

we shouldn't have seen each other again.

Forget everything, I beg you.

But why?

Why, Claudia?

Why should I forget?

Because I'm the woman of a man without

scruples.

And he happens to be my husband.

I can't allow myself to accept the love

and...

declarations of a man as marvelous as you

are.

One day you would end up hating me.

Despising me.

No.

I could never hate you.

Remember.

Whatever happens, I couldn't.

Well, at

this point, I shall have to call retreat.

I prefer to leave the battlefield before suffering

total defeat.

That's not correct, Tessa.

The loser should have the privilege of setting

the time limit.

Quite right.

And Mr. Carley, I'm sure, will offer you

a revenge, Mrs. Reininger.

We, for our part, wish you good luck.

And thank you once again for a splendid

evening.

I bid you good night.

Good night.

All right.

What do you have in mind?

You said it yourself.

I have no choice.

A gentleman who wins cannot leave the table

of his own initiative.

Now, let's see.

You owe me exactly 840,000 francs.

That's a lot of money.

All right.

Are you willing to play one more game,

double or nothing?

Are you sure that's what you want?

Absolutely sure.

All right.

Eight.

Nine.

You lose.

All right, let's have it.

What is it you really want from me?

If I'm not mistaken, 840,000 francs by

two makes exactly 1,680,000.

That's what I want.

Nothing else.

You don't expect me to have that kind

of money here.

Sign this.

It's enough for me.

Write out the amount and sign it.

You're a filthy bastard.

Just sign.

And now, out.

Thank you.

You're a bad loser.

You're a bad loser.

Play hard

to get with me.

Have some more.

That's a good girl.

Come on, sweetie.

Yeah, yeah, come on.

You know you like it, come on.

That's right.

Just move over a little bit there.

Come on.

That's the girl.

You're what I've been needing.

You like it.

Stop.

Drink it, come on.

You like it?

You like that?

Come on, laugh a little.

Drink it now.

Come on.

You like the feel, yeah?

Come on, that feels good.

Good, doesn't it feel good?

What?

Maria.

Maria.

Wait.

Let me explain.

Maria.

You bastard.

Come on now.

Let go of me.

Just let me explain, will you?

Let go.

Oh, come on.

If you come any closer, I'll shoot you.

I'll kill you.

All right.

Now what are you doing?

I'm undressing, can't you see?

It's called self-defense.

If you shoot me, they'll find me here

naked, and I hardly think that anyone will

believe your story of a tempted race, certainly

not your husband.

Wasn't it enough that you took all that

money?

That was just a bond of love between

us.

You're coming with me.

You're lying.

You're not going to use a gimmick.

You're lying.

I hate you.

You're rotten.

Oh.

What are

you doing in my room?

I was looking at you.

I don't like being spied upon when I

sleep.

How long have you been here?

Not very long.

I never heard you speak in your sleep

before.

What did I say?

You were calling my name.

Quite a surprise.

I've been having these terrible nightmares lately.

That explains everything.

I was willing to bet on it.

I had a feeling.

Every time I turn my back, you take

advantage of it.

You go off and have an orgy.

What orgy?

Now, look, it was just a fancy reception.

Besides, I assure you they were all fine

gentlemen.

Oh, right, fine gentlemen.

I'm sure they were.

They're the worst kind, let me tell you.

Well, they were.

I should only be so lucky.

What's that mean, I should only be so

lucky?

It means that nothing ever happens to me.

That's what it means.

Carolina.

Yes, ma'am.

Marco, I've asked you for three days to

saw the wood for the pavilion.

I want it done by tonight.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll do it right away.

Please, ma'am, don't be angry with me

for last night.

We were only joking.

Nothing really happened.

Yes, that's all right.

Let's forget about it.

But go and deliver this letter to Mr.

Carley right now.

Be sure he receives it personally.

And don't say anything to the master.

You can count on me, Mrs. Reininger.

I won't say a word.

I'll have it all done by tonight.

Et voila.

I always keep my promises.

They just can't resist my charms.

You hit your opponent below the belt.

In more ways than one.

But with admirable results, it seems.

First the money, if you don't mind.

Fair enough.

There's what we agreed on.

You can count it.

That's not necessary amongst men of honor.

My dear friend.

Business and honor never mix.

Goodbye, Carley.

Goodbye.

We've done it.

We've done it, sweetheart.

Look at it.

A hundred bills for a thousand.

No taxes, no problems.

Aren't you proud of me?

You're just a cheap hustler.

And you know it perfectly well.

And now leave me alone.

I've got to pack the bags.

What's the hurry?

We don't have the police in our neck.

This time it's legitimate.

You have a strange concept of what's legitimate,

you know.

You never really feel like a worm, do

you?

Why should I?

It was a fair exchange.

You should look at yourself in the mirror

more often.

But I do it all the time.

And you haven't noticed?

So what am I supposed to notice?

How disgusting you are.

I don't agree.

I think you're being unfair.

I think I'm rather handsome.

You're a disgusting bastard.

A miserable, egotistical bastard.

And you never care about anybody but yourself.

And the others can croak.

Do you happen to be referring to Mr.

Reininger?

Yes, you haven't even considered how he feels.

You think about him enough, seems to me.

What did he do to you, huh?

Break your cherry with the force of his

love?

What I feel for him is my own

business.

And it concerns no one.

No one, understand?

That's fair enough.

You keep having it off with him if

you like.

I'll take care of his wife.

Alessio, let's go away from here.

You got what you wanted.

Let's get out of this awful town.

I beg you.

There's no hurry.

The magician still has an ace up his

sleeve.

I shall need time to pay this.

At least a year.

A year is certainly not an eternity.

Unfortunately, a bank needs collateral for its balance

sheet.

And is forced to consider only the practical

side of a transaction.

And what do you propose?

That you turn over your lands, including the

house, naturally.

And I am disposed to offer you an

adequate sum...

that will allow you to settle your wife's

debt.

And...

to relocate conveniently elsewhere.

That's out of the question.

I shall never leave this house.

And I shall never allow...

that the lands of the Reiningers fall into

other hands.

Listen to me, Tessa.

I'm willing to mortgage every inch of this

estate...

before I give in to such blackmail.

As you wish, Reininger.

It's a question of time.

You'll see.

Sooner or later, you'll have to change your

mind.

Good day, sir.

Oh.

Good day, Mrs. Reininger.

Good day.

You're not eating?

I have a terrible migraine.

Will you please excuse me?

Oh, God, my aching back.

Marco.

Don't you think this is a wonderful idea?

This is the only place around here...

where there's no...

of those horrible bells.

We have the evening all to ourselves.

We're free.

Aren't you happy?

We can make love till tomorrow morning.

Or what do you say, darling?

Well, I say that I can't even stand

on my feet.

Have you any idea what it does to

one's body...

to saw 85 boards of wood in one

afternoon?

Are you still up?

What do you want?

Aren't you able to guess?

I thought you had a terrible migraine.

I've gotten over it completely.

Now all I want is to make love

with you.

I'm sorry, I don't.

It's the last thing I want to do.

Oh, really?

So that's how it is.

It's because of that slut, right?

You guessed it.

It's because of a slut...

but not the lady you happen to refer

to.

What do you mean?

Today, Tessa presented me with your gambling note.

It's in his hands.

Did you know that?

That's impossible.

It's the truth.

It is possible.

Unfortunately, that's how it is.

No, I don't believe you.

I don't believe you.

You want to punish me.

Isn't that so?

You want to destroy all my feelings.

All your feelings?

For whom?

For Alessio.

Because I love him.

And you'd better get that into your head.

I love him.

Do you understand?

Is that all you can say?

There's one other thing I have to tell

you.

In all these years of living with you...

I have forced myself to put up with

your disgusting presence.

I've never known a moment of joy with

you.

And the only effect your caresses have ever

had on me...

has been one of repulsion.

Only repulsion.

What did I tell you?

Look, she wants to meet me at the

lake.

She's so afraid of losing me that she'll

do anything I want.

And that really makes you feel proud of

yourself, doesn't it?

More than anything else, it allows me to

raise the company profits.

Don't you see?

Now I can make her do whatever I

want.

And what do you want?

I want money.

Lots and lots of money.

I want a role in it.

I want it to caress me all over.

I want to be rich.

Rich.

Immensely rich.

This is my big chance.

I'll ask you for the last time.

Let's go away.

I'm willing to go away with you if

you agree never to see that woman.

Never again, Alessio.

Mad.

You're mad.

You're mad as a hatter.

I don't understand what's come over you...

but I don't have time to stay here

and listen to your ridiculous nonsense.

Fortune awaits me...

and I have no intention of making her

wait.

If you'll excuse me.

This is the chance of my life.

Madam, please.

May I speak to you for a moment?

Tell me.

I wanted to ask you...

Go on.

It's about Marco.

I wanted to ask you about our future.

Later.

I don't have time.

What happened?

Tell me.

I have to see you.

Your note was quite explicit.

You want to leave me, no?

No.

I expressed myself badly.

I want you to know the whole truth.

What truth?

The truth.

First of all, I want you to know

that I love you.

That I've never loved anyone else in my

life.

I know.

I love you too.

Please, Oswaldo.

Let me finish or I'll never get to

the point.

Of course.

But all that matters to me is that

you love me.

But I've cheated you.

I've lied to you.

I'm not the kind of woman you think

I am.

Look, I've known from the very beginning that

you were his accomplice.

Right now, Alessio is meeting with your wife

at the lake.

She's so infatuated with him, she's liable to

do anything.

And he'll stop at nothing.

He's dangerous.

Let's go.

I came as soon as I got your

note.

I can't live without you.

Alessio, Tessa's presented my promissory note to my

husband.

Why did you give it to him?

I needed money right away.

Besides, why do you care?

It's his problem, not ours.

No, I don't want to hurt him.

Here.

Look, I brought all my jewels.

You can sell them.

We can go off together.

It's more than we need.

But I don't want to destroy Oswaldo.

I need more.

If you want to stay with him, stay.

But I won't sell myself that cheap.

You monster.

I won't let you get away with this.

Put down that gun.

You know you can't use it.

You stay here.

I'll see what I can do.

Maria, speak to me.

Maria.

You're always so...

so good.

But I didn't want to...

It's a terrible, terrible tragedy for you, I

know.

I must admit that the circumstances and the

place...

appear rather unusual at first sight.

But the lack of fingerprints, other than those

of your late wife...

leave little doubt that it was a suicide.

Even without the confirmation of your most valuable

testimony.

Yes, unfortunately, that's exactly how it happened.

I shall try to minimize as much as

possible the tedious legal procedures.

You can count on me.

I appreciate your discretion.

In the meantime, please accept my most profound

condolences, Mr. Reininger.

I thank you, Inspector.

Good evening.

Mr. Reininger.

Yes, come in, come in.

Excuse me, sir.

I cleaned up Madam's room like you asked

me.

Will there be anything else?

Was there any message?

No, sir, there was no message.

Oh, by the way, we must think about

your future.

I want you and Marco to be able

to get married.

He spoke to me about a shop he

wanted to open.

I'll give you the money to do it.

Oh, that's marvelous.

Oh, sir.

Yes, yes, yes.

Go on now.

Good night.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Marco.

Marco, I have the most fantastic news.

Mr. Reininger said he'll give us the money

to buy the shop.

Really?

I don't believe it.

Isn't that the best news in the world?

It is the best news in the world.

But are you sure that's what he said?

Of course, I'm sure that's what he said.

But when I first talked to him about

it, he wouldn't even listen to me.

And now it seems impossible.

It's a dream come true.

I won't have to be a servant any

longer.

I'll be my own master and have my

own shop.

I'm so happy.

And we'll get married.

Of course we'll get married.

And you'll be my wife.

Oh, yes, my love.

Oh, certainly.

Do you want me right now?

Oh, you sure do.

My dear.

I was expecting you.

Welcome to your new home, my darling.